Hamilton College (Clinton, NY)

Hamilton is, in many ways, similar to a lot of other selective northeastern liberal arts colleges: it has a beautiful campus, nice facilities, small classes and talented students. So, let me tell you the ways Hamilton thinks it is unique: 1) Hamilton has an open curriculum, meaning you are never in a class that you don't want to be in. And, importantly, every other student in the class wants to be there, too. 2) There is a strong emphasis on writing and communication with three writing-intensive courses required to graduate. 3) There are great opportunities for research, including in a new state-of-the-art science building. 4) There is a palpable sense of community, in part because 95% of professors live on campus or within 3 miles of it. 30% of Hamilton graduates are still contact with at least one professor ten years after they graduate. 5) Hamilton has great student outcomes; 92% of graduates are either in their first choice job or graduates school within six months of graduation. What else? Hamilton is test-flexible for admission, meaning students can submit the combination of tests that suit them best. It is need-blind and guarantees to meet 100% of need, which is increasingly rare these days. Economics, government, math, psychology and biology are especially strong, but art and music are actually the most enrolled classes because of the flexibility of the open curriculum. Senior projects are required for most majors. There is a great outdoors program. It snows a lot, but because it does, they know how to have fun with it. Great off-campus programs, including philosophy in NYC, government in Washington D.C. and study abroad options. Ask me about the very impressive story I experienced that shows professors REALLY care about students here. K